Ann's Story

Initially setting up a chocolate manufacturing facility in Dublin in 1999, Ann always wanted to bring chocolate, jobs and prosperity back to the small but beautiful village of Stradone, Co. Cavan in Ireland. This dream came true in 2007, when on the back of signing up a number of key clients, Ann started to expand family business premises in Stradone. Today, the facility is coming to the end of its third transformation, expanding to increase capability.

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Ann’s early academic background was in Bakery management and Food science. Before setting up Áine's Handmade Chocolates, Ann worked for several years with Irish and international chocolate companies in production leader and technical managerial roles. Her creativity with chocolate earned her a reputation as a boundary-pusher and innovator in the field. Today, Ann’s business has established the highest reputation for quality, innovation, and reliability. Ann is well known in the industry and is a firm believer in developing mutually beneficial long-term relationships with partners.  

As a result of Ann’s personal drive, persistence, and chocolate-creativity, combined with an expert team and owned-production capability, the company has secured premium international contracts designing, producing and supplying both Áine's branded and own-label products and solutions – not to mention numerous Irish and international food and chocolate awards! Ann is passionate about her business, Cavan, Ireland, Chocolate, creativity, innovation and female entrepreneurship. Ann is part of the Cavan [Ireland] Businesswomen’s Club and is a National Women’s Enterprise Day Ambassador.